People suffer as vital bridges in Langate remain defunct

Srinagar, Oct 16: The two vital bridges that have been damaged over Nallah Mawer in Batagund and Langate villages in north Kashmir’s Handwara in the last two years have not only disconnected around 40 villages but are also forcing thousands of people to take longer routes to reach their respective destinations.
Scores of residents from these areas told Rising Kashmir that since these bridges got damaged, they have been left distressed, as they have been forced to take longer routes to reach their destinations, especially the patients and school-going children.
Imtiyaz Ahmad, a local from Shanoo, said it has been more than two years since the bridge got damaged, and the authorities assured us at the time that they would repair this bridge at the earliest. However, despite the passing of two years, there has been no progress in the repair of this important bridge.
Ahmad said that although the authorities issued tenders for the repair of the bridge a year ago, the contractor carried out some basic work initially, but for the last several months, no work has been ongoing to complete this bridge.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, R&B Exon Division Langate Gulzar Ahmad Mir said the work on the bridge is ongoing, and they are trying their best to complete the project within the specified time frame. He stated that for the Langate bridge, the DPR for diversion has been issued, and it will be completed soon.
Another local told Rising Kashmir that one can easily spot how people are risking their lives to cross this bridge at Batagund, and the authorities are not taking any measures to provide facilities to the people, even though they are fully aware of the situation.
Similarly, the vital bridge known as “Daand Kadal” over Nallah Mawer in Langate also got damaged last year, resulting in the disconnection of dozens of villages. These bridges, according to locals, got damaged due to continuous dredging in Nallah Mawer.
The residents of Langate said they are the worst sufferers, as they have all the agricultural land on the other side of the bridge, and they have been left in a state of shock. The inhabitants said that the authorities have also issued tenders for the reconstruction of the bridge, but no work has been initiated yet.
The residents of these areas have reported these issues to the concerned officials, but they have received only verbal assurances in response.